Enforcing Orders (Contempt) in Marion County, Ohio

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 17, 2026

Marion County, Ohio · Marion

When the other party ignores a custody, parenting-time, or support order, a motion for contempt asks the Family Division to enforce it. In Marion County, civil contempt requires a properly served summons.

How do I enforce a family-law order in Marion County, Ohio?

File a motion for contempt (Ohio Form 24 / JF 3, with the Show Cause Order, Form 25 / JF 4) in your original Marion County case. Civil contempt to enforce a court order requires a summons served on the other party under R.C. 2705.031(C) (Local Rule 6) — a bare motion without proper service will not support a contempt finding. The court then holds a hearing and can set purge conditions and sanctions. Keep your address current with the court using Form G.

Where to File: Marion County Court of Common Pleas, Family Division

222 W. Center St.
Phone: (740) 223-4060
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: www.co.marion.oh.us/elected_offices/common_pleas_court_family_division/index.php

A contempt motion fits if…

There is a clear, existing court order the other party is violating.
The other party is withholding parenting time or refusing to follow the parenting schedule.
Child support or another financial obligation is not being paid as ordered.
You are prepared to have a summons served under R.C. 2705.031(C), not just file a motion.
You can document the specific violations for the hearing.

Filing Fees

$210 reactivation if dormant (Rule 3) · confirm any motion deposit with the Clerk · fee waiver available

Forms & Filing Packets

File a motion for contempt — $210 to reactivate a dormant case (Rule 3); confirm any motion deposit with the Clerk

File the motion and show-cause order; a summons must be served under R.C. 2705.031(C).

Duty to Keep Court Advised of Address (Marion Form G) — Keeps the court informed of your current mailing address. File it (and update it) so notices and orders reach you.
Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Marion Form A / Affidavit 1) — Marion's version of Ohio Affidavit 1 — your income, expenses, and basic information. Each party files their own; it must be notarized.

Enforcing a support order

Pair contempt with income withholding to collect ongoing support.

Request to Issue Wage Assignment (Marion Form H) — Asks the court to direct income/asset withholding so a support order is paid automatically from the obligor's pay.
Marion County CSEA Review & Adjust Request — Asks the Marion County CSEA to administratively review and adjust an existing child-support order. CSEA adjusts the support amount only — it cannot change custody or parenting time.

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Marion County

Document the violations. Gather dates, records, and proof of how the order is being violated.
File the contempt motion. File the Motion for Contempt (Form 24 / JF 3) and Show Cause Order (Form 25 / JF 4) in the original case.
Have a summons served. Arrange service of a summons on the other party under R.C. 2705.031(C) — this is required for contempt.
Prepare for the hearing. Bring your evidence of the violations to the contempt hearing.
Seek purge and sanctions. Ask the court for purge conditions and sanctions; pair support contempt with wage withholding (Form H).

Marion County Practice Notes

A summons is required. Civil contempt to enforce an order requires a summons served on the alleged contemnor under R.C. 2705.031(C) (Rule 6). A motion alone, without proper service, will not support a contempt finding.
Keep your address current. File the Duty to Keep Court Advised of Address (Form G) so hearing notices and orders reach you while the contempt case is pending.

Frequently Asked Questions

My ex won't follow the order — how do I enforce it in Marion County?: File a motion for contempt in the original case. Civil contempt to enforce a court order requires a summons served on the other party under R.C. 2705.031(C) (Local Rule 6) — a bare motion without proper service will not support a contempt finding. The court then holds a hearing and can set purge conditions and sanctions.
What do I need to file to change child support in Marion County?: A support-modification motion must include Affidavits 1, 3, and 4 (Marion Forms A, C, and D), your most recent W-2, your last 6 pay stubs, and 3 years of overtime/bonus history (Local Rule 6). Incomplete filings are routinely rejected or delayed — assemble the full Rule 6 packet before filing.
Is a parenting class required for cases with children in Marion County?: Yes. Under Marion F.C. Rule 12, each parent in a case involving children completes the Divorcing/Separated Parent Education Program — an approved online course finished within 60 days of the Form I notice. Listed provider fees range from $38.00 to $61.95, paid directly to the provider (it is not a court fee). You must file your Certificate of Completion with the Family Court Clerk.
What if I can't afford the filing fee in Marion County?: File the Civil Fee Waiver (Request Filing Fee to be Waived) — an Affidavit of Poverty under R.C. 2323.30 — with your complaint or petition. If granted, the court waives the deposit. The Family Court can also help confirm what financial documentation it needs.

Free Local Resources in Marion County

Marion County Family Division — Court Forms. The Family Division of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, and protection-order matters at 222 W. Center St., Marion, OH 43302. Download the county lettered forms (Form A–N) and confirm current deposits before filing. Court (740) 223-4060; Clerk (740) 223-4070. Forms: https://www.co.marion.oh.us/elected_offices/common_pleas_court_family_division/family_court_forms/juvenile_domestic_forms.php
Marion County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). A division of Marion County Job & Family Services at 363 W. Fairground St., Marion, OH 43302. The CSEA establishes paternity and establishes, enforces, and collects child support; it cannot grant or change custody or parenting time. Call (740) 387-6688 or (800) 960-5437. Review & Adjust and other support help: https://mcjfs.com/child-support/
Divorcing/Separated Parent Education Program (Rule 12). Each parent in a case involving children completes a court-approved online parenting course within 60 days of the Form I notice and files the Certificate of Completion with the Family Court Clerk. Approved providers listed on Form I charge $38.00–$61.95, paid directly to the provider (not a court fee).
Ohio Child Support Guideline Calculator. The official statewide calculator that applies Ohio's 2024 Income Shares Model. Run it, print the worksheet, and file it any time the court sets or changes support: https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/

Related to your contempt case

Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on contempt and related Ohio family law topics.

Contempt Motions in Ohio Family Court: Enforcing Your Order — When the other parent ignores a court order — withholding the children or refusing to pay support — a contempt motion is how Ohio courts enforce it. Here's how the process works.
Post-Decree Modifications in Ohio: Changing Your Order After Divorce — Your divorce decree isn't carved in stone. When life changes, Ohio lets you modify custody, parenting time, and support — but each requires meeting a specific legal standard. Here's how.

Keep exploring

Ohio Post-Decree Contempt guide — Statewide overview of post-decree contempt in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
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